Software Developmentfor Creative Technologies

I'm ready to see my ideas in action.

Technology has been integral in your life for virtually all of your life. And more than once, you’ve opened an app, played a game or run a program and thought, “I know what would make this better.” If you have the confidence and tenacity to bring your ideas to life, our Software Development for Creative Technologies degree program can turn your knack for creative problem solving into a potential career. Because as creative technology becomes more and more pervasive—whether for arts and entertainment, games, film, leisure, or business—so too does the need for creative minds that can develop unique software and programming solutions that are more intuitive, functional, and inventive. In Software Development for Creative Technologies, you can learn to do just that. You’ll be surrounded by bold, creatively driven students just like you. And you’ll be continuously challenged and pushed by experienced faculty* who will work tirelessly to help you succeed.

Classroom Experience

Yeah, I'm wired a little differently. And that's a good thing.

You’re equal parts right brain and left brain, competitor and collaborator, artist and technician. It’s a rare combination. And so is the Software Development for Creative Technologies degree program. Here, you can learn to create programming codes and scripts. At the same time, you’ll explore the point of view of the user by integrating user design, exploring user interaction, and developing skills in user experience. You’ll have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the scope of software planning, design, development, programming, testing, and maintenance, all while sharpening your computational abilities. You’ll put in a lot of hours, fight through a lot of trial and error, and find yourself challenged by other like-minded students. See our gainful employment pages for possible careers that match the program that interests you.

Meet Our Alumni

Steven Leung

Culinary Arts
, 2015

"The one thing I enjoy most about my field is that I get to create something out of nothing."

Steven Leung

As the sous chef at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Steven Leung is responsible for planning and directing food preparation in the kitchen. He ensures the quality and presentation of food, provides training to line cooks, divides labor between kitchen stations, controls inventory and food costs, and supervises staff and scheduling. “I make sure all stations are prepared to operate and ready to open for service.”

Steven says that he’s proud to have completed his education. “Half way through my degree, I thought of giving up and changing my degree [to one that would take less time to complete] because my long work hours were taking a lot of energy out of me. My instructors talked to me and encouraged me to keep going. I was so glad I kept going—it was worth it." Steven says that his hero is his dad, a man who escaped to Hong Kong as a refugee at the age of 13. “He didn't know what to do in the big city so he started working at a restaurant, 16 hours a day, as a boy that refills hot water into customers' tea pots. He worked his way up in the restaurant and learned how to cook and watched professionals demonstrating culinary skills that he had never seen before. Even today I still consider my dad's food to be the best.”

Steven, who in 2015 earned an Associate of Science in Culinary Arts from The Art Institute of Las Vegas, says that his education built upon the knowledge his father provided in the kitchen. “Culinary school was fun for me. I grew up cooking Chinese food and [now] I can implement Chinese technique into western food and implement western technique into Chinese food. I wouldn't be able to excel in my field without the education.” He admits that when he started school, his knowledge of culinary terms was limited. “[It] made me very knowledge hungry. The instructors in the school acted as a useful resource for me whenever I needed it. I feel like I picked the right school because the classes were small and the instructors engaged with the students.” He recommends that current students believe in themselves. "Never underestimate your ability. Just stay focused and make the right choices."

What Will I Study?

I know how to work it. And now I want to create it.

As software design, creative problem solving, and user interaction skills increasingly overlap, companies are looking for creative-thinking programmers who embrace lifelong learning and can work both independently and on a creative team. The curriculum for Software Development for Creative Technologies helps you build your skills to do just that as you study:

Programming Logic

Fundamentals of Web Design

Intermediate Web Design

Advanced Web Design

3D Modeling

3D Animation

Discrete Mathematics

Design Patterns & Data Structures

Continuous Mathematics for Applications

Survey of Software Development

Design for Programmers

C++ Programming I

C++ Programming II

C++ Programming III

Software Design & User Interface

Databases

Secondary Languages

Team Management & Software Lifecycle

Team Production I

Team Production II

Mobile Device Programming I

Mobile Device Programming II

Computer Networking I

Computer Networking II

E-Commerce

Software Instrumentation & Analysis

Operating Systems & File Systems Programming

I'm looking for my proving ground.

At The Art Institutes system of schools, creativity is our core, our calling, our culture. Software Development for Creative Technologies is built on that creative foundation. It’s also built on our knowledge that a creative career is not for the faint of heart. Every day is a battle to get your ideas produced and noticed. And because it’s tough out there, it’s tough in here. We provide the mentoring and real-world experience it takes to prevail, with faculty* who’ve worked in the field and internship possibilities at successful businesses. Here, you’ll be encouraged and expected to be bold. To take risks. To push yourself and the people around you. So if your heart is telling you that you belong in a creative field, you belong here. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever love.

*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.

Meet Our Faculty

Christopher Gardner

Christopher Gardner

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become acreative professional?

I always liked sketching and using watercolor to express myself. After school I'd write stories to go with my drawings, using an old typewriter I'd found and brought back to life. Sometimes I’d stay up till early morning to finish my stories. Those were defining moments in my life.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

I often show work I’ve done in the field, and I let my students know how their classwork work applies to a professional setting. I also share anecdotes that help put the projects I assign into a real-world context.

What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring?

I feel passionate about every project I assign. I believe passion helps inspire creativity in the classroom. The projects themselves are all tied very closely to the area we’re exploring. For instance, a web development project has a very different class layout and assignments than a corporate identity class.

How does collaboration contribute to students’ success—particularly whenstudents from various programs work together?

It’s is a big part of learning. I want my students to understand that the best work stems from collaborative effort, and that most real-world projects involve teamwork. Here in school, an animator could help a web developer—and a web developer could help a print-based designer get a web project off the ground. Everybody needs to get involved to take a project from start to finish. When students start appreciating the true value of collaboration, that’s when they create portfolio-worthy projects.

What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

Here’s one of the most important aspects of design that I stress: On every project, every student needs to follow a creative path that starts with pencil on paper. You need to do a lot of planning and sketching before ever using a digital application. Find the right solution first. Pushing pixels follows.

Li Rene' Harmon

Li Rene' Harmon

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become acreative professional?

I knew I was either going to be an artist or a biologist. I earned a BFA in Illustration, but I’m always looking for ways to combine the two. In fact, my Master's Thesis in Game Art is about the kelp forest and its inhabitants, and the ecosystem they form.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

I’m always gathering the newest information about the industry, and I share that in the classroom. I stress the importance of deadlines and naming conventions, as well as keeping up with the latest technology and pipeline strategies. I show students what I’m working on, as well as new software I’ve found that applies to the game asset world.

How do you inspire your students?

I think my students get inspired when they see how excited I am about learning and making things.

What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

Keep learning. Never assume you know everything. No one does.

What’s the most critical advice you would offer any student embarking on a creative career?

Be nice to your classmates—one of them could end up being your boss.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I love learning from my students about current trends and the evolving culture, as well as the outside activities that inspire them.

Michelle Vietmeier

Michelle Vietmeier

Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become acreative professional?

Several small, creative successes made me realize this is something I enjoy. Each time I created something, whether it was food, a drawing, a painting or yarn work, I realized that working with my hands to create "something" made me feel connected to my past, present and future.

How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

My diverse background in and out of foodservice, and my love of travel and adventure, help us look at the industry from different perspectives. We compare and contrast one type of service to another; we explore new flavor combinations, while appreciating the classics; we discover how a dish served in one country is similar to a dish served in another. By weaving my experiences—and those of my students—into the discussion, they realize they’ve chosen an exciting career field with endless opportunities.

What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring?

I have students cost a recipe, calculating the number of servings, adding ingredients and measurements, researching yield percentage, doing weight conversions, doing calculations, analyzing, and finally getting a result. Throughout this assignment, I stress that good results require time and effort, and that learning is a lifelong journey. I try to instill in students that a failed attempt is not a total failure. Through our "failures," we learn how to analyze what went wrong and how to fix it.

How does collaboration contribute to students’ success—particularly whenstudents from various programs work together?

I believe collaboration develops a stronger sense of community. Here’s an example: My Senior Practicum class put together an "Art and Brew" dinner. The Culinary students created the menu, prepared the meal and served the guests. They asked Graphic Design students to contribute themed artwork for a mini art show. And Audio Production students came up with the live entertainment. All that teamwork made the event a success, and they all learned something new from each other.

What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

Being a professional requires a good attitude. That’s not something they can read in a book or I can teach them in a lecture. However, it can be demonstrated every day through hard work, respect for self and others, and by being a positive role model.

What’s the most critical advice you would offer any student embarking on a creative career?

What you put in is what you get out. Nobody’s going to hand you anything. You don’t get a great-paying job, a TV show, etc. without first putting in the hard work and dedication to learning your craft.